Sunday, January 16, 2011

the kitchen: details

Thank you all so very much for your wonderful, fabulous, delightful comments and emails.

You made me laugh.

You made me cry.My heart is full... thank you!

In this post I will go back through each photo giving details of the room. I hope to answer all the questions that you asked, but if I miss anything, or you have any additional questions please let me know .

(further info can be read by clicking on the highlighted words/phrases)

The antique French wood chandelier was found in pieces in a field at Brimfield.

The antique pedestal table was originally found with a leaf in it that made it oval, which I loved, but ultimately, I felt it worked better in the room as a round table.

The slipped chairs are from Ikea. (Henriksdal Arm Chair- unfortunately, the chairs are no longer available.)
Three of the chairs have antique tapestry pillows.

Seagrass rug from Lowes.

The menu board was originally an antique mirror frame that we found in a shop in Oklahoma. Dan cut a piece of plywood to fit and I painted it with blackboard paint.

The french doors were added during the renovation.

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The fireplace was added during our renovation, the original fireplace (which only opened into the formal dining room behind the kitchen) had major repair issues and was taken down to make a see-thru fireplace between the kitchen and the dining room. The bricks are from the original fireplace. The mantel board was found in the barn.
The 19th c. French painting (in its original frame) above the fireplace was found at Porte de Vanves (a weekend street fare) in Paris.

A 1913 Biltmore hotel tray (one of a pair that I have) holds hotel flatware and an antique ironstone pitcher in which I always keep some kind of white flowers.
The doorway to the left of the fireplace takes you to the dining room. The black door takes you outside to the back porch.

The cupboard to the right of the fireplace is original to the house, and has its original iron bin pulls on the drawers. I adore the small panelled door! On the door is an unframed antique bovine painting hung with antique chain and an antique square nail found on the property. I researched the old iron bin pulls hoping to find replicas for the island. I did! I was thrilled, yet they were slightly smaller and the detailing was slightly different. I kept looking. And, then I found exact replicas- exact size and details, but they were in solid brass. I purchased them, and spray painted them a mat black to match the originals. The two iron handles on the island that you see in this photo are from Restoration Hardware.

Closeup of the cupboard.
Antique ironstone, hotel silver, cake stands and my cookbooks fill the shelves. The antique white jardiniere that you see on the edge of the mantle in this photo was found at the Scott Show in Atlanta, it's an unusual piece with the top lip being rimmed in iron.

The wire basket found in France sits on the large hotel silver tray that is the mate to the hotel tray on the dining table. It holds an antique English ironstone ham stand with a small fern, and two topiaries.... one from Snug Harbor Farm in Maine, and the other I have been growing for nineteen years!
The marble on the island is honed Bianco Venatino. I had originally thought I wanted Carrara, but found the slabs at the time of the renovation to be very creamy (instead of white) and to have very little veining. When I spotted this slab at one of the many stone fabricators that we visited I fell in love! I loved the veining and the movement of the piece. I felt the island at a little over 3 feet x 7 feet needed to have a presence, and the movement of the veining gives it that importance in the room.
(To read my post on marble click HERE.)

The countertops are soapstone. I love them! They have a small amount of green veining which I find beautiful. In my research I read that soapstone can be soft depending on where it is quarried. I have not found that to be true of mine, as it is very durable. For the first month I mineral-oiled it once a week, then for the first year once a month, and now just occasionally. If anything scratches it the oil covers the scratch. And, nothing stains it which is really nice. It is also very heat tolerant, so you can sit hot pots/pans directly on it.
(To read my post on soapstone click HERE.)

The hardware on the drawers is polished nickel from Restoration Hardware. I used bin pulls (Gilmore) with handle pulls (Aubrey) in two different sizes (6" and 8", depending on the drawer size) to vary the look.
I designed the kitchen using all drawers. Years ago I found this idea in a magazine and thought it was brilliant! I have one corner cabinet and a cabinet for sheet pans and cutting boards; every thing else is a drawer! I can not tell you how easy it is to just pull open a drawer to find what you are looking for, and to lift up the heavy pots.
Glass front refrigerator is Sub Zero.
The island pendants are turn of the century mill lights found at Smith-Zukas Antiques in Maine.
The light above the sink is from Circa Lighting.
The wood ceiling is 6" v-match tongue-and-groove which I paint with a gloss; a little trick I use all over the house- it makes your ceilings look taller by reflecting the light.
My backsplash is real beadboard, and the floors are random width Eastern white pine from Carlisle which happens to be a local company located 35 minutes from our house. We loved knowing that just as the original floors, the new floors were also from New Hampshire! All the floors in the house are finished with tung oil which is what was used a hundred years ago.
The wood brackets under the glass front cabinets, the large polished nickel silver cupboard clasps (these are much larger than Restoration Hardware's) and the exact replicas for the bin pulls on the island were all found at House of Antique Hardware.
Ella's bed was purchased years ago (actually for her sister Kelsey) and I do not remember from where... sorry.

The glass in the cabinets is original to the house! We took the antique wavy glass from windows which were removed during the renovation and had it cut for the cabinet doors.
The glass front cabinets are filled with ironstone, hotel silver, green yelloware, hotel and vintage bamboo flatware, drinking glasses and crystal, and white everyday plates. While some things, of course, get used more than others I do believe in using all my pieces; I open and use the cabinets daily!

The sink bridge-faucet is a Perrin and Rowe, and the farmhouse sink is a 36" Shaw. I removed the doors I had originally had made for under the sink to soften the long line of cabinets with a linen skirt.
All of the rugs are antique. The one in this photo was found in Portland, Oregon some 20+ years ago for $5! I love the wear on them, and the softness they give a room.

Stack of ironstone, wicker, and wire baskets on a hotel tray with a demijohn bottle and a small lamp made from an old ironstone sugar. The little lead bird in this photo was a turn-key to an old stove, found at Round Top. Several of you commented on the lamps that I use in the kitchen- I have used small lamps in my kitchens since I was in college! There are so many wonderful old items that can be turned into lamps. I really like how they bring you eye down to the counter and highlight the display.

For reference, the kitchen measures 14 feet by 30 feet, and I have 9 foot ceilings on the first floor of the farmhouse (8 1/2' upstairs) which is very rare in antique homes here in New Hampshire! The church window frame came from Fredericksburg, Texas and was given to me by my sister Susan after she could no longer use it.
In the right side of this photo (currently closed off) under the transom window is the entry into the barn room! There are about 4 steps down to get to the room.

first, i love your new background and header. it's so much fresher. and your pics stand out so much now.

i love it all. thanks for taking the time to go through all the details and bringing it all to life for me. the thought that went into all your choices is amazing and all your hard work def paid off. it is truly my favorite kitchen i've seen.

Amazing! Done with Love and incredible attention to detail. I am envious, dear Joan, and may need to enlist your incredible good taste, as I could use a critical eye for my new kitchen design. Everything is impeccable.

I wondered where you got the light over the sink ... I kept meaning to ask, but forgot! LOL! Now I know! :) Absolutely magnificent Joan, magnificent. It speaks volumes about your talent and soul. Beautiful and sophisticated!

Hi Joan,Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful place to work or just relax in front of that gorgeous fireplace. You have a 'good eye'...love your style and decorating sense. This is timeless! Maura

You have given us such great detail in this post it is obvious that you really love what you do.I went back and read your post on hotel silver it was very interesting I've never seen any hotel silver in Australia.Kind RegardsKaren

As you can imagine, I love every single thing about your lovely kitchen. You are so generous to share all the details. It's such a loving, genteel and authentic renovation with a wonderful understated elegance. I could move right in!!

Only you Joanie could have fun picking out all these tiny details. Here I am not being able to decide what bathroom faucet to buy!! Are we sure we are sisters? You are so generous to share your secrets and research with everyone.

The church window looks beautiful in your kitchen. If I recall you talked Mother into buying it for me years ago. It is only right that it is your now.

This is my dream kitchen--just stunning! Love your blog. Professionally I work a historic preservation specialist so I really enjoy reading everyone's personal experiences with historic properties. I just started a blog and hope to record my journey of restoring our historic home. I have so much to learn about the blog world! Would love any advice you can give :)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and LOVE your kitchen!!!!! It is not over whelming white, but enough white to make it look, clean, calm, beautiful, classic, and enough warmth in the wood and plants, baskets etc to combine with the whites to make the most awesome kitchen. Really love it.

Joan, thanks for sharing all of these details. All I can say is that you have AMAZING taste along with great attention to detail. I love everything about this room and that you have put so much thought into every decision - it was well worth it. Lastly, I am definitely going to do our next kitchen with all drawers on the bottom cabinets. In my kitchen, I have to open the door and then pull out the drawers. Having all drawers makes so much more sense.Thank you so much for sharing your amazing kitchen.Patti

I also do not see them on the site. I purchased them about a year ago, and at the time they were a new item, so I hope they still carry them. On the site Ikea says they don't show everything on line, so maybe they are in the stores but not on line?? If anyone finds them in the stores I would love to know (my Ikea is an hour and a half away) or I'd go check myself! I will add this info to the copy in the post, but wanted to put it here to to ensure that those of you who asked about them will see this!

...oh i have just loved the tour!...and i am thinking...if bunny williams is very very good...and if her husband loves her as much as your husband loves you...he might see if she could come see your house for her birthday...just thinking...

My DREAM kitchen -- and I mean "dream" because I'll probably never have anything close, but... So very beautiful!!! Can't believe I'm asking this, but what are the blinds above the kitchen sink and where did you get the crocks for your utensils?Thank you!Kimberly

Good questions! Just last night as I was walking through the kitchen I thought..."I forgot to mention the blinds"..... I love those bamboo blinds! They are that deep pea green/green drab that I adore and have used throughout the kitchen (the wall color is a green/gray)..... I found them at Lowes!! You can find them off-the-shelf, and are a great value. I had my custom cut to fit inside the windows and that made them NOT a great value;)! It was shocking how much it upped the price. But, if you can use their stock sizes it's a great deal.The large utensil crock is an antique ironstone container. The smaller two are white marble "wine chillers" that I found at an estate sale in Dallas. I've seen similar ones at TJMaxx!

I missed the original kitchen post but this is incredible!!!!!! I adore each and every single personal touch on it. It looks truly loved and so well thought out. I would love to sit at the able and have a cup of tea with you in front of the fire:) Thank you for sharing all of the info!

One question...the paint on the cabinets below our shaw sink are chipping due to water drips (from me and three kids) at the sink. So, I am thinking about a little lines skirt like your because I love it and it would be practical. Do you just have a tension rod there?

Thanks. I think if I show my hubby these photos...we might be removing those chipped cabinet doors rather than re-painintg them...again!

Not only have I drooled on my desk....but my eyes are strained by my soaking in of all things "ktichen"....I am amazed at how absolutely comfortable and lovely an all white (mostly) kitchen can be....thank you so much for sharing this room of yours....smiles.

What a beautiful, warm, and thoughtfully created kitchen! Just found your blog. We too are in the midst of a whole house renovation (of an 1889 Victorian lady), and are mid-kitchen just now. Ours is a city home, but the kitchen will have many of the same elements as yours (drawers below, a few glass-fronted upper cabinets, Gilmour pulls(!), even down to that to-see-it-is-to-love-it glass door sub-zero). I hope our end result will be like a city cousin to yours. I love the storied pasts you recount of your carefully chosen things. It's the stories that make a home.

Oh gosh I hate to ask this, but obviously you got everything so right, so I have to!!! Are the blinds the Levolor Origami color? I've been trying to make a decision for months! Again, your kitchen is amazing, absolutely amazing!Thank you again,Kimberly

I run every morning with my best friend, and this morning she commented that there was this kitchen that I had shown on my blog that she really liked. The more she described it I said, oh that is Joan with for the Love Of a House and proceeded to tell her your story. I came back today not only to savor every detail myself but to get your link to send her. I could comment on every single thing. I love it all. You did an amazing job!

Hi Joan. I popped on over from MamaBear and was so mesmerised by your gorgeous kitchen pics, that I didn't even twig that it was yours and that I already follow you!! Your kitchen is PERFECT! I LOVE it!!! Happy Wednesday ~ Tina xx

Hi Joan...as many have already noted, your kitchen is a true inspiration. We are planning a kitchen renovation and have been saving inspiration pictures for some time. When I sent your link to my husband, the email he sent back was "WOW."

Not only do I love the feeling of warmth that the kitchen portrays, I love the way you write about your renovation. I particularly am in awe of the travels you have made to find just the right pieces. We have a teenager now, but are looking forward to the days where we can pick up and go, explore, and hunt for cherished treasures that reflect us and our home.

The bead board is such a nice warm touch. I have a couple of questions...are you still pleased with it as a backsplash behind your Shaw sink? I also love how you put it on your ceiling with the gloss paint to reflect light. Is there a construction reason that the cabinets are not flush to the bead board or was that a personal choice?

Thank you for opening up your home and thoughts to all of us. You are one of my favorite places to visit each morning with my coffee.

Well...everything is lovely....did you or your husband make the ironstone sugar bowl lamp? I have a collection of ironstone and love this .....just wondering if this is something that I could tackle.....thanks for sharing your lovely home....now I am dying to see more!!!!Andrea @ Big Creek CottageAndeM1@hotmail.com

hi VB! Thank you!Yes, I am still very happy with the wood backsplash behind the sink. I did hear a lot of concern expressed about that when I chose it and had it installed. I took into consideration that I am pretty neat and tidy;), and would wipe up any splashes quickly. Really the only time water gets that far back (I get water on the soapstone by the faucets every time I wash;) is when I am washing a really large pot. Regarding the cabinets, I originally designed them to go to the ceiling, but due to a slight difference in ceiling height where the original part of the room met the new ell part this was the solution. And, I must say that I love it and would design it that way if I were to do it again! The shadow acts almost like an subtle accent in the room (think eyeliner;) and makes the cabinets have a furniture feel to them. I have found some of my favorite design elements have risen out of either a mistake, or a structural issue needing to be addressed or money (like lack of funding;) My painting the sheen on the ceiling was an "accident" I discovered in our very first house 20 years ago- I spec'd the wrong sheen and as my painter was admonishing me (painters like flat) I stood between two rooms- one with a sheen ceiling and one with flat and the one with the sheen looked 3" taller!! I have used my "mistake" from that time on!

hi Andrea! I LOVE how everyone is noticing all the little details!Yes, the little lamp is an ironstone sugar! Dan makes all of our lamps (they are all from old found objects) and you need a diamond-drill-bit to drill through the porcelain, so that it won't crack it. I have mine sitting on an old chinese ginger jar wood base that gives it some height and proportion, and allows the lamp wire to come through and out the bottom.

hi Karen! isn't that the best paint name?! LOVE that you have 6 dogs!!

Sorry to bother you with another question. When my husband got home, he asked me if you would be willing to share the details of your fireplace manufacturer? He has been searching for a two-sided fireplace, but all have huge surrounds. The one you selected seems to have a sleeker profile showcasing the fire vs. the frame.

VB- no bother at all. The fireplace is a Town & Country. It is supposed to be the Mercedes (and priced accordingly) of direct vent fireplaces, but we have had several "issues" with the Canadian company. Sadly, I do not recommend them. If you would like more information please don't hesitate to email me (on the sidebar).

What a wonderful restoration, just divine. What I like best is that it looks so fresh and modern, but not one bit trendy. You have a great mixmaster aesthetic - love all the details. I am looking forward to going through our older posts to see all that you have done Your photos are wonderful. What kind of camera do you use? - looks like you get plenty of natural light in your kitchen which makes it even more wonderful.I found your blog through Kim at Savvy Southern Style. I will have to thank her.

I found you from Savy Southern Style blog and your home is beautiful. Tonight my family will be gone to various activities and my husband asked me what I was going to do with my free time and I said I stumbled on to this beautiful blog and I plan on spending the evening reading each post!Lucinda in Dallas

Your house and kitchen is so very gorgeous. I'm hear from Savvy Southern Style. Kim said your house was fantastic and she was so right. I'm so glad I came over. I'll be reading all your past posts...and future ones too!

Your home is absolutely stunning! I'm so glad Kim featured you on her blog. I'm in awe of the beauty and detail throughout. It belongs in a book! The renovation is amazing ... your guests must never want to leave! Your beautiful silver pieces mixed in with casual ones is wonderful (I've been trying to do that a bit more myself.) And, I LOVE your summer mantel! Thanks so much for the tour ... I look forward to following along, *Becca*

Joan, your home is beautiful! New Hampshire is a beautiful state. I think it is wonderful how you and your family have adapted to a totally new enviornment. We lived in NC for 18 years, my twin daughters were born in NC my oldest moved there when she was 2, almost 5 years ago we moved to Maryland (outside of DC)and have yet to call this our home. The peacefulness of NC does not exist here but there are so many wonderful things to do here. Hopefully we can adjust as well as you have. I just love your style and your wonderful home. Kim from Savvy Southern Style suggested to come to your blogspot and I will definately be back. Fondly, Pam

I have just discovered your blog and I am sitting here quite contentedly on this Sunday morning walking through your home. I made myself some coffee, hope you don't mind. :)

I love, love your kitchen. Sadly, my husband will not. Why do I say this? Because I have been contemplating painting my red-painted kitchen cabinets to crisp white. He says I will miss my red cabs. (He says that only because it will be the 4th time they were painted) LOL

Your kitchen has convinced me about 99.99999% that it is indeed, time to call my painter.

Thank you for sharing all the yummy details. I love, love, love your home!

First off, your barn is amazeing and second, your kitchen is also amazeing. I am a pintrest junkie and yesterday I pinned this awesome dining room and guess what? It was your dining room. Your blog is going straight to my blog roll this morning. Thanks for stopping by, because now I have found you. Hope you have a fantastic day. Heidi

This is such a gorgeous kitchen, in every way. I am in the middle of remodeling our home and have also chosen the Carlisle floors with the tung oil finish. What color stain did you go with? I love how you've used different cabinet pulls and countertops and make it all look so seamless. I've spent an hour just poring over this post.

i have just died...this is perfect!! we just moved into an old 1850s house, and this is my new kitchen inspiration!! we have old, dark heart pine floors, and already have updated cream cabinets. There is also a fireplace that is sheetrocked over. SO glad i found you via verdigris vie!!

I just discovered your blog while perusing Verdigris Vie: Blue Shutters. I'm so happy I found you. You have such a wonderful way with words that your writing makes me feel as though I'm actually with you touring each of your rooms. Your entry sharing your visit with Bunny Williams was so thoughtfully written. What a wonderful gift from your husband. Thank you for allowing us to be transported into Bunny and John's house and to experience their magical home along with you. What a treat! I'm in the process of renovation plans for our kitchen and have been so inspired by yours. The warmth that your kitchen exudes is exactly what I hope to achieve. Hands down, you have the best kitchen in the blog world! Love it!!!Barb B.

I stumbled upon your blog and read through the entire thing! You write beautifully and inspire us all. Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to provide all the details. I love the kitchen and have saved several pictures to my desktop. I look forward to future blogs so please keep them coming!From Pennsylvania,Carin

Here from Rhoda's- we're currently in Eastern Europe and my kitchen has drawers, too. I was unsure about them at first, but I really like them! I love your collection of things- what fun stories behind them!

Incredible and sooo tasteful. Makes you want to just pop over for a visit. Gorgeous but not offputting and too stuffy. LOVE IT!~ Hope you are enjoying it.Please stop by my blog for my first ever giveaway..its a gorgeous french chair!www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

I came to visit after seeing your beautiful kitchen on Rhoda's blog. I just fell in love with it! I am so inspired by your paint colors and since I am going to be doing my counter tops soon, appreciated your information on the soapstone and marble.

I have spent the better part of today checking out these photos. Every time I come back to my computer, I want to look at them some more. Your kitchen is simply beautiful and warm and inviting. Such a treat to view. After seeing your collections, I was inspired to polish a small silver bowl, fill it with lemons, and set it out next to my kitchen lamp. Thank for a lovely Friday!

I feel like a kid on Christmas morning! So happy to be "opening" your blog for the first time and seeing your gorgeous home. I'm almost too excited to concentrate on all the details :) I just became your newest follower!

It's absolutely gorgeous! I love everthing about it! The Island, the light fixtures, the brick on the fireplace, the antique dining table in front of the fireplace w/ slipcovered chairs!, the Ben Moore paint, and the ironstone along with things that are used everyday in the cupboards. Thanks for sharing!

Wow! It is so beautiful! I would just love to have a large kitchen! I could not be more jealous! You simply must submit your kitchen photos to magazines! I found you because of Southern Hospitality, and I am now a proud follower.Lizhttp://mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com/

Oh and what part of NH are you located in? (I know you probably don't want to write exactly where you are!) I was born in Walpole and most of my family lives in Walpole, Westmoreland and Chesterfield. I go back frequently and actually spend the whole month of July up there every summer! Finding your blog is making me a bit homesick =).

Also found your post through Pinterest. Very jealous! My husband and I recently renovated our kitchen and I purchased a similar set of large glass canisters. I have sugar in one and haven't decide what to fill the others with. Yours are lovely. Do you mind sharing what fillers you've used in your 5?

I must admit...I have had your kitchen bookmarked for quite a while now...it would be a disservice not to tell you how I feel about it...

I refer to it when I need inspiration that lets me know mixing hardware finishes is more than ok..its gorgeous and refreshing...or when I want to look at the most beautiful of gray wall color or your perfect attention to detail..I would say this kitchen is more than inspiration its perfect wrapped in beautiful and covered in love...

Thank you for sharing your journey with us and your more than lovely home..it is a gift to us that dream to have a home like yours one day...You are more than gracious!!

Can you tell me anything more about the bamboo shades in your kitchen - what brand & the color, etc.? Not sure I recall seeing those at Lowe's recently, so any info would really help - maybe I could find them somewhere else if I knew the manufacturer, etc. Thanks!

I absolutely LOVE your kitchen! Soapstone has been a favorite of mine and I really like the look of yours. You mentioned it had a hint of green to it and I was curious if you remember what type of stone collection it is? It also doesn't appear to be too "veiny" - is that the case? Thank you for all of your inspirational photos.

Hi there - love the kitchen! I am doing ours right now and have to say yours has become my inspiration photo! I am curious how your marble has held up for you? I love the look of marble but have been warned off due to staining and etching. Most of the things I have in my home have a "worn patina" - as in chippy furniture, etc. So I not sure that a worn marble would bother me. Would love to hear what you have found with yours.

I've never seen a more beautiful kitchen. I'm working on trying to attain a similar feel in my kitchen starting with sewing white slipcovers for my parson's chairs. Could you tell me where you found your glass canisters and soap dish? Thank you so much for sharing. I come back often for inspiration and calm. Vicki

Thank you Vicki! I purchased the canisters at Walmart, but you can also find them at Target or Crate and Barrel. The soap dish is an antique piece of ironstone, marked "hotel" on the bottom. Best of luck with your kitchen!

Hi Joan! I can't tell you how many hours I've spent oogling your kitchen (and the rest of your home) - it is all simply beautiful! You are a great resource and inspiration as we are currently working through an update to our own NH kitchen. My question is in regards to the pots you have on the shelf above your range. Can you share more about those? Thanks! (And thank you for the photos of your cabinets you recently sent to my husband, Wayne!! Bless your heart! He jokes that we should just ask you to stop by for a consultation.)

hi Lana,I didn't realize that you and Wayne were in NH! I do hire out :)

Regarding the pots: they are All-Clad. I talk about a great source for them in this post... http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/random-musings.htmlHope that helps and hope the renovation is going well!

Hi Joan! Another question (and I've seen this on your blog somewhere, but can't find it at the moment)...how far out from your cabinet does your sink sit? And thank you for the response about the All-Clad!

Sorry, should have been more clear, though I could probably figure it out from that response. What I was wondering, though, is how far your sink sticks out from the base cabinet. In one of the photos, you can see a profile of the sink/cabinet in which the sink extends 3-4 inches from the front of the cabinet, and maybe and inch or two from the edge of your soapstone. I now have a Rohl 30" sink just begging to be installed just.like.yours (linen curtain and all!), but of course Wayne is asking for details. Psh...details! ;) You can email if i'm still not clear - lanabee@gmail.com. thanks!!

Lana- you are spot on with your estimates. The sink comes out 3" (2-7/8" to be exact) from the base cabinets and one inch from the edge of the soapstone. The overhang is one inch for the soapstone and also for the marble on the island. Let me know if that answers your question!

Wow!! I just stumbled upon your blog this morning & I am absolutely in LOVE with your home. I love every little thing about the kitchen. The fireplace is lovely! I always love a good ole fireplace in the kitchen. Everything is gorgeous!

Hello, Joan! This is a fantastic kitchen, and I appreciate the details you put into it. For example, the brackets--they are so well-placed and add a lovely decorative touch. I'm wondering how you like your soapstone countertops, now that you've worked with them? I'm researching alternatives (non-engineered) to granite, and I love the history of soapstone. I'm not opposed to the oiling maintenance, and by now, everything else in my home has a patina! Have you experienced any concerns with your soapstone countertops? Angela in Geneva, IL

hi Angela- I really need to do a post on the marble and soapstone countertops as I get a lot of inquiries about them! I love them more after having lived and worked with them. I really haven't experienced any concerns personally- I think they are wonderful.

Your home is incredibly beautiful! I so appreciate you sharing all your paint colors and details. Very generous! Another question for you... Do your kitchen cabinets have a lacquer over the White Dove? Or just sprayed?

Thanks for the response. I am building right now and am also doing white dove for my cabinets. I am having mine sprayed, but am not sure about the lacquer process. I have heard that it can turn it a little yellow. Very concerning as this would change the whole look. Your home is beautiful. I have to admit I used a few colors from your home design as it has great flow!We also are painting our exterior white and was very sad that we do not have california paints in Louisiana.

I love this room - it is so comfy-cozy, warm, and functional. I have a question about the floors. I saw that they are finished in tung oil. How does that type of finish wear with dogs and scratches? Do chunks ever come out of the floors?

Chunks?! No, I can't say as I've ever had any chunks come out. It does scratch, but mainly that is because the floors are pine, not from the tung oil. I don't think there is any way around not having scratches on a wood floor if you have dogs.

I must have missed it in the details, but could you tell me more about the cabinets. Are they shaker, Quaker? How wide are the frames on the cabinet doors? The proportions seem perfect. I saw the paint color and love it but am more curious about the style, wood and supplier. Welcome back, you were missed.

b- The style would be Shaker, or a variation of. The glass cabinet doors measure two different widths depending on location- to the right of the fridge they are 12-1/4" and the ones to the right of the sink are 17-7/8". Both are 45-1/4" ht. for reference. The kitchen cabinets were designed by me and custom made by a local cabinet maker.

Joan, Could you tell me how the flour, sugar and other dry goods keep in the glass jars? I purchased the same 2 gallon glass jars from Walmart, but when I got them home, realized they don't have any kind of airtight seal. Have you found things keep well enough in them? Your kitchen is beautiful, your entire house and its story is a real inspiration!

Anita- We used Latex Satin Impervo. This was my first experience using the latex as I have used the oil version for the past 20 years and I can not sing the praises of the Latex loud enough! It is an amazing product and doesn't chip and doesn't yellow. It is the product we used on the trim throughout the entire house and I have been very impressed with it.

It was custom made by our cabinet maker. The range is 48' so the hood is a little larger than that. If you look at this post of our Dallas house... http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2008/12/pretty-pictures-for-change.htmlyou'll see the beadboard hood cover that Dan made that went directly over the standard recessed vent-a-hood that was under a cabinet over the stove. A good carpenter could easily make one for you. Good luck!

About your rugs: I picked up an antique oriental runner today. It has some of the beautiful wear also; throughout the rug but also along the edging. Do you get concerned about them fraying? I'm wondering if I should protect the edges and fringe or just let it "wear" to it's hearts content?

It is polished nickel (as are the cabinet and drawer pulls). I have been very happy with it and love the "softer" hue of the metal compared to the chrome which I have in the bathrooms. It does "spot", something the chrome doesn't, but I use a product called Flitz that does a great job of keeping it looking perfect! You can see a photo of the product in this post... http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/part-ii-house-things-i-cant-live.html

Omg!! I should not have opened this post...I am going to be in so much trouble. You just reconfirmed that drawers are so much more functional (and hold a lot more) than basic cabinets. I have drawers currently and the amount they can hold is amazing and was not sure how much I should push for when it came to picking our next place....Your kitchen just sealed it :)!Nice to see that soapstone can be an option. Both my Mother and MIL have had marble (pink and white with green & gold trim respectively) and I have noticed that over a period of time, marble tends to loose its original 'charm'. My mother has had hers replaced with granite. Thank you! With your pick I feel soapstone should be the way to go.

Sorry if you already answered these questions...but I love your kitchen and I wondered if the bead-board is treated or mdf or other - since it is used as backsplash. ALso you said you used a gloss on the ceiling...semi? I love your kitchen - it is one of the best!!!!!

The beadboard is 1 x 6, tongue and groove, pine boards. They were primed and painted as the rest of the wood in the room, with no special treatment.The ceiling is painted with Benjamin Moore's Pearl finish. All paints (colors and sheens) can be found on my sidebar.

I love your wide plank pine floors. They are exactly the look I am hoping to achieve. Did you use tongue and groove planks or square edges? If they are square edges, do you find that they pull apart too much when they naturally expand and contract? Thank you! Your kitchen is breathtaking!

Thank you Heather! The floor are tongue and groove which were also glued during installation, so no separation. I believe the key to using the square edges is to make sure you are buying "seasoned/aged" lumber and even then to allow it to "season" in your home for several weeks prior to installing so you won't get the expansion and contracting issues.

Beautiful kitchen! May I ask you what's the distance between your fridge and the wall? I'm thinking of placing my fridge in the exact same location (near corner of the wall, next to an entry way). I was worried that the corner cabinets would be difficult to reach. How have you liked it so far?

The refrigerator to the wall (that the sink is on, and what I assume you are asking?) measures 52.5" That is the refrigerator itself (not the housing or the trim) to the beadboard wall. In my kitchen this works really well and my corner cabinet is not difficult to reach at all.

Everything looks stunning!! I particularly love the glass jars on the cabinet....could you tell me where u bought them? ...sorry if u have answered the same question before :) i didn't go thru every comment...

Hi Joan,Thank you for sharing all of the details of your kitchen. Reading over your "notes" has helped with my own renovation plans. Can you tell me how the IKEA chairs have held up for you? I have two young children (4&6) and a yellow lab (1!)... I want to try them out but am afraid they will get ruined. - Julie

Julie, Unfortunately Ikea discontinued this chair over a year ago. It is a great chair and has held up beautifully. Slipcovers are great for kids and dogs as they are easy to wash to keep clean. You might try Ballard Designs for a similar chair.

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"when every corner speaks of possibility I know that I am home." -unknown-

Ten years ago I could not have even pointed out New Hampshire on a map, but here we are. Six years ago, after living for 15 years in the beehive that is Dallas, Dan and I finally escaped and landed in a very small town in New Hampshire that doesn't even have a traffic light. Perfection! Our move was a huge risk, but it has paid off with dividends and we absolutely love it here. I think we are really Yankees at heart. If you've never been to New England I cannot describe it with adequate words, you really just have to experience it. It is like no other part of the country. Its beauty matches our beloved Colorado, Oregon, and Washington and its spirit (Live Free or Die) is reminiscent of Texas, and the people... well, we have found them to be most genuine. In essence... we feel as if we have arrived home!

joan

ella...

photo by David McCaughan

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the entry

the living room

the kitchen

the dining room

the reading room

the master bedroom

the master bath

the North guest room

the South guest room

the guest bath

the barn room

the barn half bath

the barn mud room

With the eyes to see it and the hands to create it, we can recover the home that the soul desires.
-A. Lawlor-

to send a note, mail to...

fortheloveofahouse@comcast.net

my lunch with the fabulous Bunny Williams...

my paint and stain colors:

It's a house with rooms that reflect a place, a feeling, a memory of the past.-unknown-

Simplicity-Making your life a creative work of art. A great piece of art is composed not just of what is in the final piece, but equally important, what is not. It is the discipline to discard what does not fit- to cut out what might have already cost days or even years of effort.